Killing Routines
Topic: Killing routines
Specific Purpose: To convince the audience that they can break their routines.
Central Idea: Get out of your routine to see the world from a new perspective.
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter: “The less routine the more life,” said Amos Bronson Alcott,
an American reformer, philosopher and teacher.
B. Topic introduction: Have you ever felt that one day is similar to others? That every morning everything is going round day by day?
C. Preview main points/thesis statement: Habit is our second nature when it comes to practical routines, which makes life quite a bit easier. Laziness is a part of human nature, that’s why most of us are addicted to routines.
At the outset, you should understand what routine means and identify it in your everyday life.
II. Body
A. What is routine?
Routine is a customary, or regular, course of procedure. Simply, it’s a habit of unvarying, unimaginative and habitual actions. Human beings need to have order in their lives. They always seek out peace. Routine makes you to get used to the usual way of doing things and not look for new ways to do better. And while you’re enjoying this illusive comfort zone, the most interesting things are passing you by.
But, what should you do to break up your routines?
B. 10 ways to break up your everyday routines.
- Start your everyday routine in reverse order. It is the simplest way to start changes. Just change the order of your actions every day. Take a different route to work, or school, take a breakfast away, or just take a 5-minute walk through the park.
- Do something extraordinary on a regular basis. Usually routine becomes boring because we lose the sense of wonder. So, shake it up! Do something you’ve been afraid to do, visit a new place, or take on a new project.
- Change your mindset. Recognize that you need changes and that you need to take the first steps to change. You might fall a few times; just accept it.
- Don’t be afraid of a little mess. If you are an organized person, look at changes as a new way of organizing your day. Some new points may appear in your time schedule. Something like time for creativity, or a call to an old friend.
- Find new challenges. The absence of situations that are not challenging enough may land you into a routine. Just take a look around. Find one that will stimulate you beyond the comfort zone.
- Communicate with people with similar interests. Talking to people with similar interests provides more ideas. You don’t even need to meet them personally. Just use Facebook, Twitter, or another social network.
- Take a day off if possible. Go somewhere off the beaten path. Use this time to get refreshed, energized and to arm yourself with new ideas for a new challenge.
- Stop analyzing. Nothing stops trying something new than judging and over-analyzing, before attempting it. Learn to recognize if you start doing this. Just be crazy for once; do what you’ve always wanted to do. And don’t think much about people’s perception.
- Be different. Nothing inspires and expands the mind more than learning something new and making new discoveries.
- Reward yourself regularly. When was the last time you rewarded yourself and not feel guilty? After overcoming a challenge, or achieving something difficult, tell yourself that you deserve it.
III. Conclusion
A. Signal ending: So, such changes will be stimulating, energizing and refreshing. Discover a whole new world of possibilities you never thought of before.
B. Re-emphasize the “Call to Action” step: So, what’s the first thing you will change today?
References
1. “Break the routine.” by Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian, Saturday 4 August 2007
2. “Routine is the enemy of creativity.” http://www.skipprichard.com/break-your-routine/
3. “Escape Your Rat Race.” The Oprah Magazine, January 2009
